Obama looks to prolong his turnout machine

Nov. 19, 2012
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President Obama / Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama and aides are asking the same question as other political professionals: Can he sustain the voter turnout organization that elected him twice?

In a congratulatory e-mail, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina asks backers to fill out a questionnaire designed to chart their future -- and presumably gather information for future races, including the 2016 presidential election.

"We've got so much more to accomplish over the next four years," Messina writes. "The first step is looking at the work we did and defining where our movement should go from here."

Possible options include pushing Obama's legislative agenda, promoting Democratic candidates in elections, working on local issues, and "training a new generation of leaders and organizers."

Beyond the survey, the big question will take four years to answer: Can the next Democratic presidential nominee use Obama's organization to follow him into the White House?

Messina tells volunteers in his e-mail: "Together, we've built the best damn grassroots organization in the history of American politics. With your help, that organization has elected President Obama -- twice."

He also writes:

"Now that we've won, some folks might expect us to take a break -- or worse, to fade away.

"That's not going to happen.

"President Obama has made clear that his plan for his second term requires your involvement.

"As someone who helped build this grassroots organization, you're the first person I want to ask about this year's campaign, and how we can best continue to move this country forward. After all, this movement belongs to you."